In the year 1000, the economy of the Middle East was at least as advanced as that of Europe. But by 1800, the region had fallen dramatically behind--in living standards, technology, and economic institutions. In short, the Middle East had failed to modernize economically as the West surged...

Biographical note: KuranTimur: Timur Kuran is professor of economics and political science and the Gorter Family Professor of Islamic Studies at Duke University. He is the author of "Islam and Mammon: The Economic Predicaments of Islamism" (Princeton).

The hidden paradox of human history -- The new view of human nature -- A sentient interpretation of biological evolution -- Becoming human -- Rethinking the meaning of the human journey -- The ancient theological brain and patriarchal economy -- Cosmopolitan Rome and the rise of urban...

Als die Ökonomen die Weltbühne betraten. Binyamin Appelbaum legt eine originelle Ideengeschichte und ein unvergessliches Porträt der Wirtschafts-Wissenschaftler vor, die in der Mitte des 20. Jahrhunderts zum weltweiten Aufstieg des Neo-Liberalismus beigetragen haben. Sie waren die Vertreter...

Corporation as common constitution -- The political economy of Sir Thomas Smith -- Richard Hooker's corporate Christians -- The principal navigations, voyages, traffiques, and discoveries of the English corporation -- Dekker and Company -- Shakespeare's thing of nothing -- Francis Bacon's...